BEST LOCAL ANIMAL NON-PROFIT Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue Center

Dedicating your life to helping out all our furry friends? Now that’s certainly the cat’s meow. Lending a paw where needed, these non-profits got tails wagging and preached an endlessly important message: adopt, don’t shop. Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue Center is the pick of the litter in Platinum followed by Satchel’s Last Resort in Gold. Cat Depot scratches the way to Silver and Big Cat Habitat got their claws sharpened for a Bronze finish. These Honorable Mentions had the crowd barking for joy—Humane Society of Sarasota County, Farmhouse Animal & Nature Sanctuary Inc., Save Our Seabirds, Animal Rescue Coalition and Second Chance Rescue.

Jenna Holden (on Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue Center) They are my favorite because the paw-tastic work they do to save and place so many rescues is just a level above everyone else. They give these animals a safe place to call home in the process of them finding their forever home. They have a loving staff and wonderful people caring for these furry friends. They deserve this award because they are top notch. Gail Balkwill (on Satchel’s Last Resort Rescue and Sanctuary) I’m a volunteer at Satchel’s and see first hand the love and passion that the volunteers and employees have for all of the cats and dogs. Ann Daugherty (on Cat Depot) Their programs that involve students in their mission while enjoying a fun experience are the best I have ever seen! Children reading to cats makes me cry. Renee Ferreira (on Big Cat Habitat) Big Cat Habitat is a fun place for the entire family and your visit directly funds the animals that you are spending the day with.

BEST LOCAL CHILDREN’S NONPROFIT Child Protection Center Inc.

Keeping our community’s children safe and secure is a full-time job. These nonprofits ensure that no little one is left behind in becoming the best person they can be. Whether providing food, mental health services, family intervention or simply a helping hand—these winners are building a solid foundation under some little shoes with rocky starts. Child Protection Center Inc. paves the way to Platinum with Safe Children Coalition getting Gold. Children First saves the day with Silver and Easterseals Southwest Florida and Girls Inc. of Sarasota County best it out for a Bronze tie. Hopeful and helpful Honorable Mentions are Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast, Step Up Suncoast, Forty Carrots Family Center, All Star Children’s Foundation, Blaze of Hope and Bat City Comic Professionals.

Ashley Garcia (on Child Protection Center Inc) The Child Protection Center, Inc. (CPC) is a vital resource in Sarasota, dedicated to supporting children impacted by abuse and neglect. Through forensic interviews, trauma therapy, and family advocacy, CPC provides comprehensive care while also leading vital prevention and education efforts. Their commitment to child safety and well-being makes them an essential part of our community. Robert Holzler (on Safe Children Coalition) The Safe Children Coalition provides a number of vital programs and services, including foster care, adoption, and prevention and diversion programs that are not only life-changing but help create new beginnings for children and families who need it most. Sharon Gallagher (on Children First) They always care so much for all the children and are very friendly with parents too. Robert Holzler (on EasterSeals) Caring for kids who need it most, Easter Seals steps up to fill a huge void in our community, helping those who would otherwise fall through the cracks. They bring hope and a future to those that our government is just not prepared or equipped to provide for. Mary Pat Radford (on Girls Inc. of Sarasota County) From the first time I entered the building over 15 years ago I have been hooked. To be in the building when the girls are there is inspirational and to see them on Market day in Dream Harbor or swearing the girls into office at Dream Harbor will melt your heart and you will leave with a perpetual smile!

BEST LOCAL NON-PROFIT Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue Center

You know you’ve picked the right place to call home when the philanthropy section of a Best Of competition has multiple categories. We can’t simply narrow it down to Best Philanthropy because there are so many squeezed into our zip codes it required five entire sections unto themselves. Go ahead, give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back. And while you’re at it, give these sensationally selfless winners a round of applause. Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue Center lands the top spot this year taking home Platinum. Satchel’s Last Resort gravitated to Gold and Child Protection Center Inc. sits in Silver. Cat Depot closes off the comp with Bronze. Don’t forget about our amazing Honorable Mentions—Children First, Easterseals Southwest Florida, JFCS of the Suncoast, Turning Points, All Faiths Food Bank, Girls Inc. of Sarasota County, Step Up Suncoast, Safe Place & Rape Crisis Center (SPARCC), Friendly City Foundation, Big Waters Land Trust, Bettering Beaches, Blaze of Hope and Manatee County Habitat for Humanity.

Travis Jones (on Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue) They constantly go above and beyond for the animals in their care and share their resources with other organizations in need. Diane Paulhus (on Satchel’s Last Resort Rescue and Sanctuary) I began volunteering at Satchel’s earlier this year. The care, concern and help the dogs and cats receive is amazing. Each animal gets one on one attention from the staff and volunteers. Dog walkers and cat cuddlers abound, not to mention those who attend the fundraising events and transport animals to and from the vet. The founder, Page Knobel and the BOD directors are hands-on in all aspects of the operation. It is an honor to be one among the many people who make Satchel’s a success. Shanon Maloney (on Child Protection Center Inc) Most of us shy away from the harsh truths of child abuse. CPC not only faces these difficult realities and heartache head-on, but they provide children and families who’ve suffered abuse with comfort, safety and hope. CPC is where a victim’s story is turned around and they can begin their healing journey. Linda Long (on Cat Depot) I have adopted a cat from Cat Depot and am now a volunteer. I am immensely impressed with the loving and caring environment that they consistently provide. They offer outreach programs with visits to assisted living facilities and volunteer opportunities for teens to name a few. They offer a comprehensive veterinary clinic and have earned the status as a fear-free shelter.

BEST LOCAL HEALTH NONPROFIT Planned Parenthood - Sarasota Health Center

The best medicine is helping others. These groups give life-changing care to the community because they know health is wealth—and that it shouldn’t be the other way around. Planned Parenthood - Sarasota Health Center provides a Platinum service followed by Turning Points taking home Gold. Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation is a Silver mainstay and Resilient Retreat believes in you for Bronze. Honorable Mention goes to Plymouth Harbor.

Nikki Brennan (on Turning Points) The medical and dental office helps people who are uninsured. They have an amazing staff and have helped so many people. The physicians go above and beyond. Candice McLeod (on Resilient Retreat) Trauma informed programs, overnight retreats and community resources all at no cost to the community. Continuous, ongoing support for adult survivors, helping professionals and first responders. A kind line that offers a safe, confidential space for callers to process with judgement.

BEST LOCAL ARTS / CULTURAL NON-PROFIT TIE Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe and The Circus Arts Conservatory

For eternity the arts have been written off by disgruntled parents as frivolous and not worth making a career out of. A wholly unfair and depressing sentiment. Think of what you turn to in sadness or love or excitement—your favorite song, or movie or TV show. The arts are a fundamental part of the human experience yet without the proper support some of the greatest talents would never make it on the stage. These arts nonprofits ensure that no matter the cost, the curtain will go up. Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe and The Circus Arts Conservatory picked up a tie for Platinum followed by Florida Studio Theatre giving it their Gold best. Friendly City Foundation secures Silver and The Sarasota Ballet believes in their Bronze win. Let us not forget our Honorable Mentions—Sarasota Film Society, Sarasota Opera, Urbanite Theatre, Art Center Sarasota, Bat City Comic Professionals, SRQcommunity and The Sarasota Cuban Ballet School.

Alyssa Holcomb (on The Circus Arts Conservatory) The Circus Arts Conservatory encompasses all that makes our “circus town” shine bright. Their passion for performance, education, and maintaining and enhancing the legacy of this storied art form make them a gem in our community crown. Alex Sweeney (on Bat City Comic Professionals) They teach kids reading and writing through comic books. They are constantly doing good things in their community. R Lee Stump (Urbanite Theatre) Urbanite is an incredibly feisty, gritty little black box theater that punches well beyond its weight. Its ability to respectfully push boundaries while delivering incredibly artistic productions is amazing!